He’s been the anchor of Bobcats soccer defense for the past three seasons, and this year, Bay City Christian School senior Ben Gillette has been named to the 2015 All State Team along with All Tournament Team recognition at the recent WACS State Tournament. It’s something he considers a great accomplishment and he’s been working hard toward achieving. “I got an honorable mention last year, and this year, since it was my final year, I really wanted to push and get [an] actual trophy – so it’s really exciting!”

“His style is more vocal – equally encouraging and admonishing as circumstances dictate. In particular, he has given much reinforcement to our 6th grade class, something you would seldom see out of a high school senior in most environments.”

– Coach Hangen

Coach Rob Hangen has enjoyed watching Ben work hard and develop his skills over the last six years. “As our deepest defender, Ben’s role is cover attacks from the outside while cutting off passing lanes and often running down the opponents’ best scoring threat.  To do this job effectively, one needs a balance of aggression, temperament, and control, in almost equal parts, and Ben has really come to grips with the latter two in the last couple of seasons.”

Some of the greatest skills Ben has learned from soccer can be used off the field as well. “Coach Hangen and Coach Cox are doing a great job. One of the things that I learned most about, was leadership by watching them, and learning about what they do, and leading by example.”

According to Coach Hangen, Ben has been leading by example and taking an interest in being a practice leader. “His style is more vocal – equally encouraging and admonishing as circumstances dictate. In particular, he has given much reinforcement to our 6th grade class, something you would seldom see out of a high school senior in most environments.”

Ben also helped to teach our entire team an important lesson, in soccer and in life, during a pivotal game of the season when we were trailing a Milwaukee team 4 to 1 in the second half. Coach Hangen explains, “In the final 12 minutes, Ben scored 3 times to draw us level in a game that surely appeared to be over. This taught our young team an extremely important lesson – never give up, never concede. It’s not over until the final whistle. I’m convinced that this put us on direct course for the State Championship game.”

At the championship game, Ben also displayed excellent leadership that Coach Hangen believes helped the whole team grow together after a hard-fought, and heart wrenching lose. “After the final whistle in the State Championship game, Ben had the clarity of mind and Christian character to gather us together to thank the Lord in all circumstances – again, a great testament to his growth.”

Ben hopes to continue playing soccer in college.

Congratulations Ben! Thank you for all your effort and leadership on the soccer field. As Coach Hangen contemplates next year, he knows things will be different for the Bobcats, “We’ll miss his booming voice on the pitch next season!”